WWE: WWE SmackDown Expected to Become 3-Hour Show in 2025 Update, Lucha Bros Reportedly Yet to Sign with WWE, Cody Rhodes & Roman Reigns Segment Set for 9/20 SmackDown Show

Sep 20, 2024

Backstage Update on WWE SmackDown to Become Three-Hour Show in January 2025

As noted before, WWE’s SmackDown show is currently expected to expand into becoming a three-hour weekly show on USA Network starting in January of 2025.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources within WWE stated that WWE officials have yet to make any final decision regarding the runtime for both their RAW and SmackDown shows starting in January of 2025.

Those spoken to reportedly stated that WWE officials are currently open to discussions regarding potential changes to the runtime format for their RAW and SmackDown shows.

In regards to the status of WWE shows replays, Meltzer reported that the current belief is once WWE’s deal with Hulu for SmackDown show replays expires on September 26th, SmackDown replays will air the next day on Peacock starting in October. Meltzer also reported that the start date for this change has yet to be finalized.

RAW replays reportedly will remain with its current next day rights on Hulu until the end of this year and afterwards will air on Netflix. NXT replays reportedly will remain on Hulu until the end of this month and afterwards will air on The CW app.

Lucha Bros Signing with WWE Update – Lucha Bros Reportedly Still Under AEW Contracts

As noted before, the Lucha Bros’ Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix are currently believed to have recently signed official contracts with WWE.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported in a recent Q&A article that his sources stated that the Lucha Bros are still under contract with AEW as of Friday and legally would not be allowed to sign any deal with WWE.

Johnson reported that the current belief is that the Lucha Bros are still expected to join WWE once their contracts with AEW expires.

Cody Rhodes & Roman Reigns Video Segment Announced for Friday’s WWE SmackDown Show

WWE announced one new segment for the card of tonight’s WWE SmackDown show in Sacramento, California.

This new segment is a video segment featuring footage of Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns recently meeting together at Reigns’ alma mater Georgia Tech University.

Official preview:

Watch the intense exchange between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns in its entirety after two of WWE’s biggest Superstars met at Georgia Tech
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns met up at Georgia Tech last night, Reigns’ alma mater in the heart of Rhodes’ hometown of Atlanta. This will also be the site of their epic tag team showdown against Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu at WWE Bad Blood on Oct. 5.
SmackDown cameras were on hand to capture the intense conversation between two of the biggest stars in WWE. Find out what the unlikely tandem have to say to each other ahead of their battle against The Bloodline when their spic meet is shown in its entirety tonight at 8/7 C on SmackDown on USA.

Current card for September 20th WWE SmackDown show: